Fr Werner Fimm, Catholic evangelist and media priest, dies aged 60

Fr Werner Fimm, a well-known Catholic priest and media evangelist, has died at the age of 60 following a long illness. His death was announced on Sunday evening by the Brandenburg an der Iller monastery, where he had resided in recent years.

According to the monastery’s statement, Fr Fimm passed away peacefully at 9 p.m. on Sunday during the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The timing of his death—coinciding with the Rosary of Divine Mercy, a devotion he often promoted—has been noted by many as a poignant expression of his enduring faith.

Fr Fimm was widely recognised in German-speaking Catholic media through his regular appearances on K-TV, Bonifatius.tv, and his own YouTube channel, where he produced catechetical series on Sacred Scripture, the Apocalypse, and the message of Divine Mercy. Known for his accessible and heartfelt preaching, he reached thousands of viewers with his commentary on biblical themes and his encouragement of traditional piety and trust in God’s mercy.

Born on 22 March 1965 in Schuttern, a village in the Ortenau district of Baden-Württemberg, Fr Fimm’s early life was rooted in ordinary work; he began his career as a postman before discerning a vocation to the priesthood. His path to ordination saw him study theology at several institutions, including Zizers and Chur in Switzerland, the Gustav Siewerth Academy in Germany, and the Pontifical Philosophical-Theological College Heiligenkreuz in Austria—an institution known for its fidelity to the Church and liturgical tradition.

He was ordained a deacon on 19 March 2001 and received priestly ordination later that year on 29 September in Schaan, in the Principality of Liechtenstein. From 2004, Fr Fimm served as parish priest in Triesen, where he ministered faithfully to the local community.

In 2014, with the permission of his bishop, he was released from regular parish duties to dedicate himself full-time to evangelisation. This move allowed him to expand his media apostolate and lead retreats, missions, and spiritual conferences without being tied to a fixed pastoral assignment.

Fr Fimm’s contributions to K-TV were especially significant. In a tribute published after his death, the network recalled his “profound lectures” and “blessed retreats”, expressing deep gratitude for his tireless service to the Church. “His untimely passing fills us with sadness,” the K-TV statement said, “but we reflect with appreciation on his blessed ministry, which touched countless people and strengthened their faith.”

The monastery has invited the faithful to include Fr Fimm in their prayers and commended his soul to the mercy of God with funeral arrangements and details for memorial Masses expected to be announced in the coming days.

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